Pubdate: Mon, 21 Feb 2005
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2005 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CUT CRIME RATE BY ENDING DRUG PROHIBITION

I'm writing about a recent report on statewide meth lab raids. A simple 
solution would eliminate 99 percent of the illegal meth labs.

The solution is Desoxyn.  Desoxyn is the pharmaceutical form of 
methamphetamine and it is legally available in local pharmacies for less 
than $2.00 per dose with a doctor's prescription. I say sell it at local 
pharmacies without a prescription with no questions asked to any 
adult--just like we do with tobacco products.

Would we still have people addicted to meth?  Yes.  Would meth addicts need 
to rob, steal or commit acts of prostitution in order to obtain money to 
buy their meth?  No.  Would the meth addicts prefer to purchase pure 
pharmaceutical grade of meth instead of meth manufactured with batteries 
and fertilizer?  Yes.  Will drug dealers still offer free samples of meth 
to potential customers?  No.

When they re-legalized alcohol in 1933, it was not because they decided 
that alcohol was not so harmful after all, but rather because of the crime 
and corruption that alcohol prohibition caused.

When they re-legalized alcohol in 1933, the illegal bathtub gin producers 
went out of business overnight for economic reasons and they have stayed 
out of the business for economic reasons.  And our overall crime rate 
declined substantially and our murder rate declined for ten consecutive years.

Have we learned any lessons?  Not yet.

Kirk Muse

Mesa 
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MAP posted-by: Beth